of snakes it kills; about sun-spots and their influence on the seasons.
C. F. N. about the sky, sun, moon, and stars.
Philip H. H. about bees and crabs.
Edwin St. J. G. about horses, especially those with long manes and tails.
Sidney G. about wild animals, lions; also snakes and unfamiliar plants.
Claude E. H. about Mother Carey's chickens. He writes that his uncle shot one while crossing the ocean.
Murray W. T. about birds and plants, "with pictures."
Howell G. about the quail, woodpecker, and other birds. (We wonder if he has seen Grant's book on birds, or "Bird Neighbors"?)
James M. about sea-lions and wild animals; also about cats and domestic animals.
Denison F. about ant-eaters, lions, and whales.
Tom T. about the horse, dog, and python.
You can see by the above letters--and this was but part of one mail--how many things our young people want to know about, and what a task "Naturalist" has taken upon himself.
From Sterling, Ill., comes a request from a number of boys and girls for a book about wild animals and how they live. (Ingersoll's "Wild Neighbors" is just such a book.)
E. C., of Brookline, writes a very suggestive letter. A few of his wants are as follows: chapters on garden-grubs, and insects injurious to vegetation; caterpillars, together with pictures of the butterflies that come from them; birds' nests; colored pictures of beetles, fossils, shells, etc. He says in conclusion: "Even with things to see, you often need to be shown how to look."
In this he is right, for we miss many beautiful things in this world because we do not know "how to look."
We wish to acknowledge with pleasure the well-written letters from Point Grammar School, Gloucester, Mass., from "Brenda P. S.," "Alberta S. M.," "Mary S. E.," and "Susan M."
* * * * *
With No. 66 of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD will be issued a portrait of the young Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. Great interest is being taken in the approaching coronation festivities, which will take place in September of this year.
[Illustration: THE EASTERN QUESTION!!!]
Current History
* * * * *
The proposed annexation of the Hawaiian islands is still being actively discussed in the Senate.
The friends of the bill are doing their best to present every argument for it in the most convincing way.
Senator Morgan, however, went a little too far the other day in his zeal in its behalf. He declared that ex-President Cleveland wanted the islands to be annexed to the United States, but that he thought the ex-Queen ought first to be restored to the throne and given an opportunity to let the islands be acquired by purchase.
Mr. Cleveland promptly denied this statement. "I can hardly believe Mr. Morgan made the assertions imputed to him," he said in an interview. "He knew perfectly well that I have been utterly and constantly opposed to Hawaiian annexation. The first thing I did after my inauguration, in March, 1893, was to recall from the Senate an annexation treaty then pending before that body. I regard the annexation of these islands as a complete departure from our national mission. I did not suppose that there was any person in public life that had any doubt as to my position in this matter.
"Aside from any question of annexation, and without harboring any design of restoring the Hawaiian monarchy, I investigated the relation of our representatives to its overthrow. This investigation satisfied me that our interference in the matter was disgraceful and wrong, and I would gladly, for the sake of our national honor and fair fame, have repaired that wrong; only this, and nothing more."
These remarks are important, as they refer back to the very beginning of the troubles in Hawaii which led to the present plan of making the islands a part of the United States.
In saying that the annexation of the islands would be a "complete departure from our national mission," Mr. Cleveland meant that it was the policy of our Government not to go outside of America to acquire territory, but to let other nations alone just as we ourselves wish to be let alone.
This policy is very different from that of England, for example, who has for many years been reaching out to add to her already vast possessions. In other words, our plan is opposed to what is known as the "policy of grab."
By speaking of "our interference" in the Hawaiian revolution as "disgraceful," Mr. Cleveland means that the revolution was not only largely planned by American residents on the islands, but that American marines were called from the harbor of Honolulu to the government building to assist the revolutionists, or, as the revolutionists themselves declare, to protect American interests on the islands.
Now that the question of annexation is before the country, a prominent advocate for each side has appeared.
We referred last week to the visit
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